We had a great Memorial Day weekend! We played and played until we couldn't play any longer! The weather was great and the company even better!
Meme gave the girls a membership to the Zoo for their birthdays - we decided to kick the weekend off with a trip to the Zoo. Little did we know that everyone else in the five county area did as well - ha! It was packed, but still super fun. In addition to animals, the zoo has a merry-go-round, two splash pads and a Dinosaur exhibit - we hit them all!
We played in the splash pad first - Caroline wasn't so sure in the beginning, but she warmed up to it. Catherine Ellis loves water and a splash pad - she was in heaven!
The merry-go-round was next - always super fun:
Then we headed off for our zoo experience - animals galore and the weather really was perfect for trekking around in the sun - first we saw the elephants, next up the giraffes, then all the lions, tigers, etc. The kiddos were super excited to see them all in person - up close!
Sometimes it's tough being the Big Sister
Big making Little laugh - she knows all the tricks of the trade and it works
This doesn't even need a caption ....
Mesmerized by the tall dinosaur greeting us as we entered the exhibit!
Caroline making her best roaring face back at the dinos
William and CE with one of the smaller dinos
This is the best we could get - ha!
Next on the agenda for our long weekend was our first official trip to the pool! Caroline loved the water last year, but needed to warm up to it again. She and William had a great time hanging out on the steps and playing with the noodles. Catherine Ellis was VERY excited about "swimming" again. She had to warm up a little too and David worked with her a lot - she's now a fish in the water and super close to swimming floatie free!
Cat needed to pout a bit about having to wear her floaties ..
All in all it was a great trip to the pool and a wonderful long weekend with friends! We certainly kicked the start to summer off the right way - nothing better than great weather, great friends, fun activities and good food:)
Catherine Ellis and Caroline both had their well-visits in May! Catherine Ellis for her four-year and Caroline for her two-year. They've gotten to be such pros at visiting the doctor and both love Dr. Farr. He's the baby whisperer fo' sho!
Caroline is big enough how to be measured for her height on the wall and can step on the digital scale all by herself - where does the time go?!? No more baby scale weight and height for this one! As you can see she was very curious about how they were going to measure her!
Caroline's two-year-old stats are ... drumroll please.....:
Height: 33 1/2 inches - 50th percentile - we moved up from the 25th percentile - go Caroline!!
Weight: 31.2 lbs - 90th percentile - apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, sweet girl!
Catherine Ellis has been standing on the scale for weight and against the wall for height for a few years now, but the big difference in this visit was that she could comprehend every thing they were saying/asking - the questions they asked to see how she was developing - lots of hopping on one leg, skipping, balancing (following commands) and she just couldn't wait to see Dr. Farr.
Height: 40.75 - 90th percentile (obviously she gets this from her 5 ft 5 mama, ha! All daddy here!)
Weight: 38 lbs - 90th percentile
Catherine Ellis is long and lean - I was surprised that she weighed as much as she did, but it's her height that contributes to her weight. I hope she's tall like her Daddy and plays women's basketball since her Daddy loves it SO much (I kid, I kid; he strongly dislikes women's basketball).
We then preceded to tear the room to shreds waiting on Dr. Farr to make his appearance - bless that staff for cleaning up after us!
Washing hands - we did this about 25 times! Little has to do everything Big does!
We always have such a great view - counting all the cars as they whiz by!
Chewing on the tongue depressors Dr. Farr gave us
(Caroline is cutting her two-year molars)
Peek-a-boo
Who could this be?
While we were playing our little hearts out I should have been preparing my "don't miss a thing, I must know everything that is about to happen" four-year-old for the FOUR shots she was going to receive. Ugh. Mom of the Year right here. I went into this appointment thinking that Catherine Ellis was done with shots until next year and boy was I wrong. She got four big ole' shots and Caroline got two. Let's just say the shots didn't go over well at all. Catherine Ellis was mad as fire at me for not telling her - but we hung in there and I had two screaming and crying babies within seconds (I now know why Dr. Farr said when he realized David wasn't coming "Smart guy that one!"). So we left the office not being able to walk - because when you're four shots paralyze you. We made it to car and I promised ice cream - we went from this:
To this - a much better mood in minutes - thank you Micky D's drive-thru:
We are SO very thankful for our healthy babies - God is so good! May they both continue to grow, develop and prosper!
One of my dear Camp McDowell friends, Caroline, and her daughter, Frances Grace, flew in from Charlotte, NC for Caroline's birthday party weekend and it was SO much fun to have them here with us. We don't get to see them nearly as often as we'd like, but when we do, it's life-changing. The girls hadn't met Frances Grace yet - I went up for her baptism last April - so they were very excited to meet a new friend. Frances Grace is five months younger than Caroline so our house was perfect for her - we had all the toys and things you need for an almost two-year-old.
When they planned their trip back in March I didn't know that we would have our school fundraiser (for the girls' child care center) the night they flew in, as well as Caroline's birthday party, but it worked out beautifully. It was a packed to the brim, full weekend - but when you have three little ones you keep them running so when they crash they crash (so the adults can have some good catch up time too!). It was also Pentecost and our annual church picnic. Lots of opportunities for running and playing outside.
We sure love the Flory ladies and look forward to many more fun visits! Thank you for coming to visit us and joining us in our full weekend-o-fun! We love y'all!
Caroline, Frances Grace and Me (can you tell we just all woke up from naps!?)
Backseat fun on the way to church Sunday morning!
Pentecost picnic fun in the gardens at church with the other "Caine ladies"
Sunday afternoon we headed to Railroad Park to show off some of our wonderful green space downtown and meet up with a few other Camp McDowell friends. It was the perfect afternoon and the park was having a Neighborhood Block Party - music, food trucks, and lots of good people watching! Caroline got a bouncy ball for her birthday and it provided hours of entertainment.
Frances Grace trying out the big girl bike
A little help from Mommy
I love this picture - two wee ones working hard to go up the hill with balls as big as they are!
I have to brag on myself - since I'm famous now, ha! The above photo was one of my favorites I took Sunday afternoon and shared on Instagram. I tagged InstagramBirmingham and they picked me up! We were featured that night as one of the photos of the day - woot, woot! I was so proud of my social media self:) The city scape is so pretty and the picture looks like the girls are having a blast, but really what's happening (not to ruin it for you) is CE is running full force away from Caroline and Caroline is screaming MINE MINE MINE. Good times!
Caroline with our two "wanderers" - they had ventured over to another quilt and
woke up some poor guy who was trying to nap - pardon us sir!
Yep, MINE MINE MINE - you can totally see it here, right?
Leaving Railroad Park and heading home after a wonderful weekend!
Caroline had her birthday party last Saturday and it was a blast! She was so very excited that all of her wee little friends came to play with her on the Tumblebus. Tumblebus is a school bus that has a gym on the inside - it's the coolest thing! I first learned about it from the girls' school and once I saw the program I knew we had to do a birthday party based on Tumblebus! So we "Tumbled into Two" with Caroline!
This party was extra special because one of Caroline's Godmother's and one of my Goddaughter's flew in from Charlotte to spend the weekend with us - that's a whole 'nother post - but we were THRILLED that Caroline and Frances Grace joined us for the weekend. It made little Caroline's birthday celebration even merrier!
I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story:
Cake to match her invite - so cute!
Little mama getting ready for all of her friends to arrive
Big sister is ready too!
SO exited that Team Brown has arrived - she was this happy to see every little friend!
The Tumblebus pulling in!
Tumble juice for the weary tumblers
(and pre-mixed mimosas for the parents)
Favor cookies by Nothin' But Crumbs - aren't they so cute!?
Checking out her Tumblebus decorations
Looking out for all her friends!
Aunt Lauren and Godfather Joey
A motley crew I tell you!
Little stinker!
Me and Caroline
Tumble party in action
Lots of squeals and laughter
Jumping up and down
Frances Grace swinging away
Catherine Ellis on the rope swing!
Swinging high
Flipping everywhere
Caroline getting ready to attempt the rope swing
Sweet Richmond helping Caroline
If this looks a little overwhelming it's because it is - there is SO much to do on the Tumblebus and kids running everywhere, loud toddler dance music playing - it's like a toddler club on a bus. Insane - but they love it! Here is a short video of the madness:
Cat on the climbing wall
Taking a "tumble" break
Throwing balls at the instructors
So much fun
Receiving her birthday girl medal
Handing out stickers to all her sweet friends
The best of the group we could get - we had twenty wee ones - hard to get them all in a picture!
Balloon time with William - this was just before everyone went into
meltdown mode because they were worn-out!
After we got everyone off the bus we quickly went into cake mode so the tears would subside for a moment - everyone loved getting into the cake - so yummy!
The boys were ready to dig in!
Richmond helping Caroline blow out her big candle!
Trying to get a pic for the camera (Daddy was out buying candles
because I told him the wrong place to look in the house - sorry Daddy!!)
William enjoying cake!
Enjoying her few last minutes with the Tumblebus
Little mama showing us her dance moves!
Waving bye-bye to the Tumblebus - love that she actually kept her birthday crown on!
Godmother Caroline, Frances Grace and Caroline waving bye-bye
All my favorite ladies!
The Greats with the girls - thanks for coming!
Uncle C and Catherine Ellis
Showing off her belly - it's hard work to have a belly that good-lookin' y'all!
She keeps us laughing - too funny! I looked over and this is exactly
how she was standing once everyone had left - all in a days work!
I had to capture these sweet curls she's got right now - Mama is hoping it's curly forever!
Carrigon, Aunt Stace, the birthday girl and Gran - thanks for coming!
Catherine Ellis and her Godmama Coco - we love you Coco!
Happy birthday Caroline - we love you!
It was a wonderful day! I could not have pulled off a school fund-raiser for the girls' school the night before and a big birthday party at our house the next morning without the help of my awesome village. Meme and David are responsible for us having the party - they both ran every birthday errand you could think of. And this woman below - man, I owe her big:) She got up at the crack of dawn - literally - and started helping cut fruit, bake cinnamon rolls, pigs in a blanket, mixing mimosas - you name it, she did it. My in-laws and Aunt and Uncle helped clean up afterwards - and countless other folks that I am sure I'm forgetting. You hear me say it often, but it takes a village, and I truly have the BEST. What a wonderful day for Caroline and all of us!
Sheer exhaustion! But so worth it! We love you Caroline!
